IPWP support demonstration 2008

16/10/2008

Buchtar Tabuni is a leader within the West Papua National Committee (Komisi Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB), an organisation which campaigns for a referendum on Papuan independence. On 16 October 2008 the KNPB organised a peaceful demonstration to support the launch of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua in London. Mr Tabuni was arrested in connection with this demonstration several weeks later, and during his detention was beaten on several occasions. Sebby Sambom, an independent activist involved in the KNPB, was arrested on 17 December 2008 after he spoke at a press conference demanding Buchtar Tabuni‘s release.

More than 40 organisations in West Papua, Jakarta and worldwide have brought their analysis on the human rights and conflict situation in West Papua together. The executive summary of the 218-pages report explains how several human rights standards have deteriorated over the last two years. The report is compiled by the International Coalition for Papua (ICP) and the German Westpapua-Netzwerk (WPN).

Political activist, Oktovianus Warnares was convicted of “rebellion” (makar) in 2013 after peacefully commemorating the 50th anniversary of the handover of Papua to the Indonesian government. He is a prisoner of conscience and should be immediately and unconditionally released.